Norfolk Auto Accident Injury Attorney Report – Workers’ Injuries Highlight the Dangers in Virginia’s Work Zones

Earlier this year a Virginia highway worker was seriously injured in an accident involving a motorist in a work zone on the I-64 near the Northampton Boulevard exit in Norfolk, VA.

Our experienced Norfolk, VA auto accident injury lawyers reported on how Riguel Dexter Durant, of Woodbox Drive in Virginia Beach, was hurt by a driver who was subsequently arrested for a DUI.

Virginia Department of Transportation workers are becoming increasingly wary of the dangers they face in work zones and are learning how to keep an eye out for poor driver behavior, WSLS10 reports.

VDOT employees say many drivers fail to realize they are coming to a work zone before it is upon them and don’t react quickly enough.

See this VDOT video about work zone safety.

“A lot of motorists said they weren’t aware” of VDOT crews until they happened upon them, despite signs,” Kenneth Burnley, a transportation operations manager, told the TV station.

Although cases of injuries to pedestrian road workers, such as Mr. Durant’s injury, make headlines, the majority of injuries in work zones are sustained by drivers.

The extent of the problem in Virginia’s work zones is highlighted in a recent press release by Governor Bob McDonnell.

“Last year, there were an estimated 3,457 crashes in designated work zones around Virginia, resulting in 1,816 injuries and 11 fatalities,” said Gov. McDonnell, when work zone safety awareness was underway in April. “This year, there will be even more work zones as Virginia makes unprecedented multibillion dollar, multiyear transportation infrastructure upgrades.”

The message for driver is to slow down to posted speed limits in work zones. Drivers who fail to pay attention will face criminal actions, not to mention claims for injuries and even wrongful death.

If you have an accident in a work zone and have been consuming alcohol, you could be hit with a claim for additional damages – known as punitive damages – by the victim or their estate.